Michael Hussey secured his Test spot with a much-needed century and Mitchell Johnson found some bowling menace as Western Australia dominated Victoria at the MCG. The innings was Hussey's last chance to prove to the selectors he was worthy of a spot and he followed his first-innings 0 with a smooth 118 that took the Warriors to 3 for 222 declared.

Johnson, who scored 121 on day two, had already ensured a quick end to Victoria's innings by racing to an impressive 5 for 35 off 14 overs as the hosts finished at 9 for 141 due to Andrew McDonald's broken hand. The fourth-ball loss of Michael Swart brought Hussey in and he started in an attacking mood.

The free approach paid off and he brought up his century with a top edge over the wicketkeeper Matthew Wade. He was mostly assured throughout and played some strong drives, cuts and pulls to shake off his early-season problems.

There were 15 fours and two sixes in his display, which lasted 160 balls and ended when he hooked to deep square leg. Wes Robinson was run out for 62 before tea while Marcus North was unbeaten on 23 when he declared, setting Victoria 450.

At stumps they were 0 for 42, with Michael Hill on 21 and Rob Quiney on 20. Quiney's 54 was the stand-out performance in the first bat but the innings ended in a hurry. Johnson gained 4 for 5 in his final five overs, with the last five batsmen falling for 15.

Got to hand it to Johnson and Hussey, they pulled some good performances out of their respective hats when they looked to be on their last legs. Now we'll see whether they can do it again against England.
Just a little reminder to my mate popcorn: his prediction- England would lose two and draw one of their warm-up games. Reality- England win two (easily) and have much the better of a rain-affected draw.
Glad to see you're predicting Australia will reclaim the Ashes (mark your words). I'd have been worried if you'd picked England to win.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 21:48 GMT

@Steven Andrews - couldn't agree more re: Lynn. I think he could be wearing a Baggy Green in about 2 or 3 years. Also, I have taken a big liking to O'Keefe, I hope he gets the nod over Doherty, but I would play him over North & keep Hauritz. I think haveing a left hand offie will be crucial against KP -its his Kryptonite. Shakib nailed him heaps in Bangladesh. O'Keefe's batting has impressed me over the last year or so.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 21:45 GMT

@popcorn - couldn't agree more re: fielding. I think this the key area Oz needs to improve in like under AB 20 years earlier. OZ took it to the WIndies - despite on paper the WINdies being superior, Oz held their catches & pushed them. In the early 1990s people watched ODIs to see Oz field - they were that good. Zim surged up in standings in Test & ODIs because they were an awesome fielding unit in the late 1990s. If their a question marks over the quality of the players we got now, they should all be drilled hard in fielding - particularly the slips. Hussey is great in the Gully. I think Watson is a good slipper - Punter is good @ 2nd slip - who else in the slips, Katich is okay.
@FirstOption - another duck & Hussey was a goner. I would of selected him even if he got 40 runs in the 2nd dig, because I would believe a big score is around the corner. I hope that wasn't his last 100 of the summer!

dummy4fb
on November 19, 2010, 13:33 GMT

Good on ya hussey. i wuld rather huss stay there and north go. I thought smith showed a bit of ticker in tassie, but i have been impressed with chris lynn's toughness in the middle order for qld on extreme bowler friendly conditions, early wickets and chris lynn has been the reason why qld have won this year. well done chris keep improving and an baggy green cap could be coming ur way in a couple of years. This weekend also showed that trent copeland is the best bowler in australia, he keeps taking big bags of wickets and has the best record of any bowler in australia. Good match from o'keefe who keeps impressing me with bat and ball. i think australia have been doing it tough for a while but there are some good players and talent coming through, exciting time for aussie cricket and i will be supporting at the gabba in the 1st test day 4.

coley27
on November 19, 2010, 11:46 GMT

hussey has scored 4 tons in his last 35 test matches dating back to the 2nd january 2008! i'm sure stauss and co are shaking in their boots!!!!!!

Australia17594
on November 19, 2010, 11:27 GMT

That's more like it =D Positive comments about australian players for once.

Paul-in-Finland
on November 19, 2010, 11:06 GMT

Credit where credit is due ..5/35 with 121* how often do you see that on a score card ?? Well put Popcarn......... as the Cosmic Psychos say B.I.T. Back In Town ! ! !

FirstOption
on November 19, 2010, 9:41 GMT

Hussey - never in doubt..... wise men from the East take heed.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 9:06 GMT

Ahhh, the squaky wheel has been lubricated! MJ & Huss dusting off the cob webs. I think Katich & Watson are fine(albeit not a lot of runs, but they will adjust), Punter is still a bit short of match practise, but I believe he will unleash at the Gabba. Pup is good touch, Huss is back - North needs to go for either 1. O'Keefe, 2. Smith 3. AB Mac - in that order. Haddin is okay - he's a pro & will lift. MJ is taking wickets, anyone of Siddle, Bollinger, Harris (if fit), Hilfy will do me fine, Hauritz is the big question in my mind (assuming North is gone). If North goes for Smith & O'Keefe, we may be able to play 4 quicks without Hauritz. Although if Bollinger & Johnson play, the rough they will create outside offstump to the right handers will bring Hauritz into play.

popcorn
on November 19, 2010, 8:58 GMT

I have always said, "Class is permanent - form is temporary". Mike Hussey has shown his class - and he is a brilliant catcher in the gully. Ask Tubby Mark Taylor. He will tell you. The yougsters Khwaja and Ferguson (both failed in batting playing for Australia A against England),may be athletic, fit and run around - but they are not good catchers - a good catcher wins matches. Mike Hussey will play a pivotal role in reclaiimg the Ashes for Australia - mark my words.
And Mitchell Johnson continues to be our lethal weapon - he never ceases to amaze - he got a 5 fer, and an unbeaten century! W0W - also known as-
Wicket Dot Ball Wicket.

landl47
on November 20, 2010, 6:05 GMT

Got to hand it to Johnson and Hussey, they pulled some good performances out of their respective hats when they looked to be on their last legs. Now we'll see whether they can do it again against England.
Just a little reminder to my mate popcorn: his prediction- England would lose two and draw one of their warm-up games. Reality- England win two (easily) and have much the better of a rain-affected draw.
Glad to see you're predicting Australia will reclaim the Ashes (mark your words). I'd have been worried if you'd picked England to win.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 21:48 GMT

@Steven Andrews - couldn't agree more re: Lynn. I think he could be wearing a Baggy Green in about 2 or 3 years. Also, I have taken a big liking to O'Keefe, I hope he gets the nod over Doherty, but I would play him over North & keep Hauritz. I think haveing a left hand offie will be crucial against KP -its his Kryptonite. Shakib nailed him heaps in Bangladesh. O'Keefe's batting has impressed me over the last year or so.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 21:45 GMT

@popcorn - couldn't agree more re: fielding. I think this the key area Oz needs to improve in like under AB 20 years earlier. OZ took it to the WIndies - despite on paper the WINdies being superior, Oz held their catches & pushed them. In the early 1990s people watched ODIs to see Oz field - they were that good. Zim surged up in standings in Test & ODIs because they were an awesome fielding unit in the late 1990s. If their a question marks over the quality of the players we got now, they should all be drilled hard in fielding - particularly the slips. Hussey is great in the Gully. I think Watson is a good slipper - Punter is good @ 2nd slip - who else in the slips, Katich is okay.
@FirstOption - another duck & Hussey was a goner. I would of selected him even if he got 40 runs in the 2nd dig, because I would believe a big score is around the corner. I hope that wasn't his last 100 of the summer!

dummy4fb
on November 19, 2010, 13:33 GMT

Good on ya hussey. i wuld rather huss stay there and north go. I thought smith showed a bit of ticker in tassie, but i have been impressed with chris lynn's toughness in the middle order for qld on extreme bowler friendly conditions, early wickets and chris lynn has been the reason why qld have won this year. well done chris keep improving and an baggy green cap could be coming ur way in a couple of years. This weekend also showed that trent copeland is the best bowler in australia, he keeps taking big bags of wickets and has the best record of any bowler in australia. Good match from o'keefe who keeps impressing me with bat and ball. i think australia have been doing it tough for a while but there are some good players and talent coming through, exciting time for aussie cricket and i will be supporting at the gabba in the 1st test day 4.

coley27
on November 19, 2010, 11:46 GMT

hussey has scored 4 tons in his last 35 test matches dating back to the 2nd january 2008! i'm sure stauss and co are shaking in their boots!!!!!!

Australia17594
on November 19, 2010, 11:27 GMT

That's more like it =D Positive comments about australian players for once.

Paul-in-Finland
on November 19, 2010, 11:06 GMT

Credit where credit is due ..5/35 with 121* how often do you see that on a score card ?? Well put Popcarn......... as the Cosmic Psychos say B.I.T. Back In Town ! ! !

FirstOption
on November 19, 2010, 9:41 GMT

Hussey - never in doubt..... wise men from the East take heed.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 9:06 GMT

Ahhh, the squaky wheel has been lubricated! MJ & Huss dusting off the cob webs. I think Katich & Watson are fine(albeit not a lot of runs, but they will adjust), Punter is still a bit short of match practise, but I believe he will unleash at the Gabba. Pup is good touch, Huss is back - North needs to go for either 1. O'Keefe, 2. Smith 3. AB Mac - in that order. Haddin is okay - he's a pro & will lift. MJ is taking wickets, anyone of Siddle, Bollinger, Harris (if fit), Hilfy will do me fine, Hauritz is the big question in my mind (assuming North is gone). If North goes for Smith & O'Keefe, we may be able to play 4 quicks without Hauritz. Although if Bollinger & Johnson play, the rough they will create outside offstump to the right handers will bring Hauritz into play.

popcorn
on November 19, 2010, 8:58 GMT

I have always said, "Class is permanent - form is temporary". Mike Hussey has shown his class - and he is a brilliant catcher in the gully. Ask Tubby Mark Taylor. He will tell you. The yougsters Khwaja and Ferguson (both failed in batting playing for Australia A against England),may be athletic, fit and run around - but they are not good catchers - a good catcher wins matches. Mike Hussey will play a pivotal role in reclaiimg the Ashes for Australia - mark my words.
And Mitchell Johnson continues to be our lethal weapon - he never ceases to amaze - he got a 5 fer, and an unbeaten century! W0W - also known as-
Wicket Dot Ball Wicket.

jonesy2
on November 19, 2010, 8:34 GMT

WOW watch out england! the boys are back

boris6491
on November 19, 2010, 8:17 GMT

This is more like it. We have seen so little from the Aussies and quite a bit from England. We needed this particularly from Johnson and Hussey. Hussey could count himself lucky that both Khawaja and Ferguson looked totally out of sorts against England in the A game. I just hope Johnson can bring this from here into the tests under pressure. Under pressure is when Johnson never thrives. Hopefully he can change this.

No featured comments at the moment.

boris6491
on November 19, 2010, 8:17 GMT

This is more like it. We have seen so little from the Aussies and quite a bit from England. We needed this particularly from Johnson and Hussey. Hussey could count himself lucky that both Khawaja and Ferguson looked totally out of sorts against England in the A game. I just hope Johnson can bring this from here into the tests under pressure. Under pressure is when Johnson never thrives. Hopefully he can change this.

jonesy2
on November 19, 2010, 8:34 GMT

WOW watch out england! the boys are back

popcorn
on November 19, 2010, 8:58 GMT

I have always said, "Class is permanent - form is temporary". Mike Hussey has shown his class - and he is a brilliant catcher in the gully. Ask Tubby Mark Taylor. He will tell you. The yougsters Khwaja and Ferguson (both failed in batting playing for Australia A against England),may be athletic, fit and run around - but they are not good catchers - a good catcher wins matches. Mike Hussey will play a pivotal role in reclaiimg the Ashes for Australia - mark my words.
And Mitchell Johnson continues to be our lethal weapon - he never ceases to amaze - he got a 5 fer, and an unbeaten century! W0W - also known as-
Wicket Dot Ball Wicket.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 9:06 GMT

Ahhh, the squaky wheel has been lubricated! MJ & Huss dusting off the cob webs. I think Katich & Watson are fine(albeit not a lot of runs, but they will adjust), Punter is still a bit short of match practise, but I believe he will unleash at the Gabba. Pup is good touch, Huss is back - North needs to go for either 1. O'Keefe, 2. Smith 3. AB Mac - in that order. Haddin is okay - he's a pro & will lift. MJ is taking wickets, anyone of Siddle, Bollinger, Harris (if fit), Hilfy will do me fine, Hauritz is the big question in my mind (assuming North is gone). If North goes for Smith & O'Keefe, we may be able to play 4 quicks without Hauritz. Although if Bollinger & Johnson play, the rough they will create outside offstump to the right handers will bring Hauritz into play.

FirstOption
on November 19, 2010, 9:41 GMT

Hussey - never in doubt..... wise men from the East take heed.

Paul-in-Finland
on November 19, 2010, 11:06 GMT

Credit where credit is due ..5/35 with 121* how often do you see that on a score card ?? Well put Popcarn......... as the Cosmic Psychos say B.I.T. Back In Town ! ! !

Australia17594
on November 19, 2010, 11:27 GMT

That's more like it =D Positive comments about australian players for once.

coley27
on November 19, 2010, 11:46 GMT

hussey has scored 4 tons in his last 35 test matches dating back to the 2nd january 2008! i'm sure stauss and co are shaking in their boots!!!!!!

dummy4fb
on November 19, 2010, 13:33 GMT

Good on ya hussey. i wuld rather huss stay there and north go. I thought smith showed a bit of ticker in tassie, but i have been impressed with chris lynn's toughness in the middle order for qld on extreme bowler friendly conditions, early wickets and chris lynn has been the reason why qld have won this year. well done chris keep improving and an baggy green cap could be coming ur way in a couple of years. This weekend also showed that trent copeland is the best bowler in australia, he keeps taking big bags of wickets and has the best record of any bowler in australia. Good match from o'keefe who keeps impressing me with bat and ball. i think australia have been doing it tough for a while but there are some good players and talent coming through, exciting time for aussie cricket and i will be supporting at the gabba in the 1st test day 4.

Meety
on November 19, 2010, 21:45 GMT

@popcorn - couldn't agree more re: fielding. I think this the key area Oz needs to improve in like under AB 20 years earlier. OZ took it to the WIndies - despite on paper the WINdies being superior, Oz held their catches & pushed them. In the early 1990s people watched ODIs to see Oz field - they were that good. Zim surged up in standings in Test & ODIs because they were an awesome fielding unit in the late 1990s. If their a question marks over the quality of the players we got now, they should all be drilled hard in fielding - particularly the slips. Hussey is great in the Gully. I think Watson is a good slipper - Punter is good @ 2nd slip - who else in the slips, Katich is okay.
@FirstOption - another duck & Hussey was a goner. I would of selected him even if he got 40 runs in the 2nd dig, because I would believe a big score is around the corner. I hope that wasn't his last 100 of the summer!